Former world number one Naomi Osaka will return to tennis at the Brisbane International, almost six months after giving birth.
The Japanese four-time Grand Slam winner announced her pregnancy in January and had daughter Shai in July.
The 26-year-old has not played on the WTA Tour since the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022.
“I am really excited about getting back out on court and competing,” Osaka said.
“I always love starting my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to return. The Brisbane International is such a great tournament and will set me up for a brilliant comeback this summer.”
The Brisbane tournament begins on December 31 and runs through to January 7, serving as a major event in the run-up to the Australian Open getting under way on January 14.
Osaka won the most recent of her four Grand Slams at the Australian Open in 2021. her second title at Melbourne Park.
